"I think that needs to be known," said the Olympic gold medal winner who was noticeable by his absence at the opening banquet Friday night and will be even more noticeable for not being part of today's 11 a.m. opening ceremonies.

Only Russ Howard, picked up to join the Gushue gang for the Olympic trials event four years ago in Halifax, is here to represent the team in the celebrations at the banquet and the opening ceremonies.

WON GOLD

"It would have been much better to have the old team back together," said Howard of the group that won gold for Canada at the 2006 Torino Olympics.

"I was disappointed they decided not to come," added Howard who will also work as a colour commentator on TSN's morning draw telecasts.

Kelley Law, Georgina Wheatcroft and Diane Dezure of the bronze medal team from Salt Lake 2002 were at the banquet, but Julie Skinner wasn't able to make it because of illness.

Kevin Martin (competing), Don Walchuk, Carter Rycroft (competing) and Don Bartlett on the Salt Lake silver-medal team and Shannon Kleibrink (competing), Amy Nixon, (competing) and Glenys Bakker from the Torino 2006 team are also here, with lead Christine Keshen missing for reasons unknown.

INVOLVED

Details of who will be throwing the first rock to open the event leading into the Vancouver 2010 Olympics have not been released, but all of the former Olympians on the property will be involved.